Before the puck drops to start off the St. Clair Shores Hockey Association’s new season as the Civic Arena Sunday morning, a special ceremony will be held to dedicate the facility’s new youth fitness center.

Mayor Kip Walby is expected to be joined by former Mayor Robert Hison in the ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the center, which is primarily for the hockey association players and the St. Clair Shores Figure Skating Club.

“We have a full complement of equipment including a TRX training system suspended from the ceiling that will make it easier for the younger players to lift weights,” said Gina Rheaume, a sports manager in the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, which operates the arena.

A fundraising effort that involved the hockey and skating group, along with generous donations from area residents and families, and a number of local corporations and businesses resulted in $164,000 to build the fitness center, which replaces an old dilapidated exercise room.

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Both the hockey association and the figure skating club are non-profit organizations.

Shawn Nicholson, vice president of the hockey association, which includes 450 members and skaters ranging in age from 5 to 18, said the facility is important to keep players physically active, reduce injuries and improve their endurance and performance.

Nicholson said the players sincerely appreciate the work of the parents, individuals and business leaders who chipped in to make the facility a reality.

“The companies and families who helped support this by donating money understand the lifelong benefits our young players receive,” he said. “These are kids who play year-round and make lifelong friends. The donors realize that this is too nice of a facility to let fall into disrepair. The St. Clair Shores community certainly is a nice one.”

Lindsay O’Donoghue, a skating director and coach with the figure skating club, agreed. She said the 200 skaters in the club, who range from ages 5 to 55, will benefit from using the fitness facility.

“Ever since we’ve been here, there have been little rooms with not much equipment and could not compete with any of the top training centers in the area,” O’Donoghue said. “But this is one of the best quality rooms around. We are thrilled to have such a great facility to call our home.”

The hockey association will host the dedication ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. with coffee and donuts prior to the ribbon-cutting at 9:30 a.m. At 10 a.m., the season-opening ceremonies will be held with a full day of hockey at the Civic Arena, 20000 Stephens, east of Interstate 94. A number of free children’s activities such as bounce house will be available and open to the public.